Judy . . . Uh, Jim Bailey Is In A Class By Himself

April 4, 1998|By JACK ZINK Theater Writer

Technical problems _ blown light and sound circuits _ scrapped illusionist Jim Bailey's opening at the Off Broadway Theatre in Wilton Manors Wednesday. Bailey was more than ready to make up for the delay on Thursday. He plowed through his Judy Garland act with aplomb in a stylish concert setting that is considerably more in tune with his goals than the cabaret gigs of late.

The entertainer abhors the label impersonator, owing to the genre's overall lowbrow index, but in the main that's what his ``illusions'' are about. The difference is Bailey himself, who is in a class by himself: upper.

It's the evocation of the subject that matters, along with Bailey's voice. which can stand on its own. There have been days when Bailey's characterizations were deemed eerie or haunting in their resemblances to the stars portrayed. That's not entirely so at the moment, though he's undeniably Garland-esque.

Every move is calculated mimicry _ the constant annoyances with a microphone cord, the tilt of the head, pucker of the cheek, arm motions and double-steps on the runway from the stage into the audience. The costumes are designed to finish off the picture. Bailey's black-and-gold pantsuit of act two does the trick, but the skin-tight white beaded gown of the first half is a big mistake.

The voice, not the picture, is the show's most convincing entertainment value. Even with a plainly evident ``frog in the throat'' for Thursday's performance, Bailey managed a relatively smooth delivery on all but the most taxing notes. He knows when to back off, and when he can successfully push to eliminate the vocal bugs. If he's at full voice by tonight, add another plus.

The Garland show continues through the weekend, comfortably mixing small talk with familiar arrangements of C'mon Get Happy, Smile, Zing Went the Strings of My Heart, It Never Was You, You Made Me Love You and, of course, Over the Rainbow, among others. Bailey's musical director and pianist, Gil Leib, takes some verbal abuse that's all part of the act, while leading a smart four-piece ensemble.

Starting Wednesday through April 12, Bailey switches into his Barbra Streisand portrayal. Babs' propensity for flowing gowns should flatter Jim's curves a little more effectively.